WITCHCRAFT: THE ALCHEMIST

Withchcraft. I know I've posted about them before, but I just can't enough of their unique brand of neo late '60's early '70's psych rock. I've been spinning their latest album "The Alchemist" a lot lately and I swear these guys are on to something big....
If you're into The Doors, Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Cream, Jethro Tull and the like check this album out.
Here's "Walk Between the Lines", a perfect song that ventures into territory that even Monster Magnet, the kings of psych rock, have trouble pulling off. This song has been stuck in my head every day since I first heard it almost a nine months ago.

Walk between the lines - Witchcraft

And here's "If Crimson Was Your Colour", a vicious track that would do both Jim Morrison and Danzig proud.

DANZIG 2: LUCIFUGE

"Danzig 2: Lucifuge" (1990) . This is my favorite Danzig solo effort of all time. Anybody familiar with his work with The Misfits and Samhain will know that his solo material is good but not up to par with his early stuff. This album, however, is an exception.

Everything you love about Danzig is here. The dark, horror inspired lyrics and his incredible Elvis meets Jim Morrison voice. The difference is, instead of drawing on punk and goth, he draws on the blues and '70's blues rock. This album is every bit as potent and energetic as any of his work with Samhain or The Misfits.

The song writing is incredible. There's straight blues ("Killer Wolf" and" I'm the One"), a 1950's crooner ("Blood and Tears"), early AC/DC libido driven blues rock ("Devil's Plaything"), and just pure campy shock fests ("Long Way Back From Hell" and "Snakes of Christ"). The production by Rick Rubin is top notch. It brings to mind the same retro feel as The Cult's "Electric".

If you've ever had any doubts about Danzig's solo material give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.

Here's "Devil's Plaything" and "Killer Wolf".

WITCHCRAFT

Witchcraft are a great retro doom metal band I discovered about a year ago. Their influences range from the psychedelic doom metal of Black Sabbath & Pentagram to the heavy psych of Blue Cheer to the melody of Cream and the vocal power of The Doors. The vocals are very melodic, with touches of Glen Danzig, Ozzy, and Jim Morrison. The musicianship is top notch, blending old retro influences to make something that sounds completely new. They have 3 albums out so far: "Witchcraft"(2004), "Firewood"(2005), and "The Alchemist"(2007). All three are great, with "Firewood" probably being the weakest of the three. I highly recommend these guys.

Here's the video to "Chylde of Fire", from the "Firewood" album:

And here's a live performance of "Hey Doctor", from "The Alchemist":